Andre Onana has issued a pointed response to Nemanja Matic following the Serbian midfielder’s veiled criticism ahead of the upcoming clash between Lyon and Manchester United.
Speaking during a press conference before the highly anticipated fixture, Matic appeared to aim a subtle dig at his former teammate.
The remark, which quickly gained traction online, did not go unnoticed by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
“I will never be disrespectful to another club,” Onana posted on social media. “We know that tomorrow’s match will be a difficult encounter against a big opponent.”
The Manchester United goalkeeper initially struck a tone of professionalism and restraint, emphasizing the significance of the contest and respecting Lyon’s status. But Onana did not stop there.
Clearly stung by the implied criticism, the former Inter Milan and Ajax shot-stopper followed up with a more pointed remark, making clear where he stands in comparison.
“We’re focused on our preparation to produce a performance that will make our fans proud,” Onana continued. “At least I’ve won trophies with the biggest club in the world. Not everyone can say that.”
The comment was widely interpreted as a direct retort to Matic, whose five-year spell at Manchester United saw him fall short in terms of silverware, despite appearances in several major finals.
During his time at Old Trafford, the Serbian international finished as runner-up twice in the Premier League and lost three cup finals, without lifting a single trophy.
In contrast, Onana played a key role in United’s FA Cup triumph last season — a fact he appears keen to underscore.
Th Cameroon international’s statement draws a clear line between the two players’ records at the club, highlighting his contribution to recent success.
I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.
We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud.
At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same. pic.twitter.com/3easLRIz3d
— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) April 9, 2025
Matic, who has enjoyed a decorated career elsewhere — including three Premier League titles and an FA Cup during his time at Chelsea — may have his own response in the pipeline.
Notably, he also won the Slovak Cup in 2009 during the early days of his professional career, adding further weight to his résumé.
Whether Matic chooses to reply remains to be seen, but Onana’s message leaves little doubt that he took the pre-match comment personally — and is more than willing to defend both his reputation and achievements.
As the tension builds ahead of the match, the off-field exchange between two former teammates has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling fixture.
